14 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome to the 2018 school year! We have enjoyed a smooth start with all students settling quickly into classroom work. I would like to extend a special welcome to our new Year 7 students and parents. It was great to see so many parents at the first assembly for the Year 7s on their first day. We look forward to developing close partnerships with parents and carers for the long secondary schooling journey ahead.

Our Year 12 students who graduated last year achieved some excellent results. We achieved 100% of students being awarded a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). This result is the combination of hard work by each student and the relentless support, follow-up and individualized monitoring by our wonderful teaching staff. Our students achieving OP 1-5 was high at 22% which is above the average for the State. In addition, three of our students achieved an OP 1 and three of our students OP 2. This is an outstanding effort.

In our continuous effort to improve communication with our parents and the wider community, we have a great combination of the website, text messaging and Facebook. Of course, in addition to this online combination, we have this regular newsletter and traditional mail. The latter was an important component of our strategy for providing relevant information at the end of last year. Hopefully this information assisted families when preparing for the return to school.

Over the coming weeks I look forward to meeting new parents and re-connecting with our existing parents. 2018 is shaping up to be an exciting year particularly with our new Wynnum Cup for the House with the highest contribution across the school’s activities including culture, sporting and academics.

I wish you all the very best for a successful year ahead.

Cath

News from the Deputy Principals

Welcome back from holidays! The start of our school year has unfolded smoothly and we welcome the new Year 7 cohort of 193 students to the school.

As was mentioned earlier in this newsletter, our 2017 Year 12 cohort achieved outstanding results. These achievements, in both academic and vocational areas, were a credit to the hard work of the students involved. These outcomes built upon the strong traditions of the school and demonstrate the quality of education at Wynnum State High. We wish the Year 12s of 2017 all the very best as they begin the next phase of their lives and look forward to more of the same from the Class of 2018.

Our House competitions are in full swing this year with students gaining points for their respective Houses based on their involvement across the school. The school spirit certainly kicked off at this year’s Swimming Carnival despite the inclement weather. The Manly Pool was awash with a sea of blue, red, yellow and purple. Congratulations to Cunningham House who took out this year’s swimming trophy.

Student Leader Investiture

Last Friday, we held our annual Student Leader Investiture where our School Captains, Junior Secondary Captains and House Leaders accepted their badges of office in front of our school community. We congratulate these students on being elected to these important positions. We are extremely proud of them and know that they will fulfil their leadership roles in an outstanding manner.

Uniforms

At Wynnum State High, uniforms are something we take seriously. Uniforms project a united and dignified presence, and show that students belong to the Wynnum High community. Uniforms have also been designed with the many Workplace Health and Safety factors in mind.

Parents are reminded that all students are required to be in full uniform at all times. If, for any reason, a student cannot be in the prescribed uniform, parents are requested to write a note to the school and the school will supply them with a uniform pass for the day, including shoes.

The school shoe policy indicates that traditional style black leather lace-up shoes are to be worn. This policy is in accordance with workplace health and safety requirements. In support of this policy the school has purchased uniform compliant shoes which students will change into if they for some reason they cannot wear their school shoes for a day. If you need more detail regarding this, please contact the school.

Late to School

Students who arrive late to school, that is, after the House Group roll has been marked must report to Student Services to be issued with a late pass. Students are to present a note to Student Services explaining their late arrival. A note or contact from parents with Student Services prior to the student’s late arrival is critical.

Immunisations

As part of Queensland Health’s annual School Based Vaccination program, free vaccinations are provided for all Year 7 and Year 10 students. The vaccination will be conducted by a team of specially trained registered nurses. It is important that you read the information on the consent form. Only students who have a completed and signed consent form will be vaccinated. Students in Years 7 and 10 have been issued with forms.

School Photos

School Photos are next Friday 23 February. All students have their photo taken on this day regardless of whether or not you will be purchasing the school photos. This is required as we use the same photograph to produce the student ID card. We require all students to wear their dress uniform for their official school photo and to follow all rules regarding uniform.

Each student will have an individual photograph taken and you are able to purchase this along with a composite photo of all other students in the same year level. A class photograph is not taken.

On assembly last week, your son/daughter should have received an envelope from MSP Photography with their name and individual “shootkey’ pre-printed on it. If your child has not brought this home please ask them to dig it out of their school bag! If by chance he or she hasn’t received a pre-printed envelope, or if they have misplaced it, please ask them to come to the office to collect a spare one.

Please see the below document for more information.

2017 School Magazine

If you ordered and paid for a 2017 School Magazine, these have now arrived and be collected from the School Office.

Homework Club

Sport News

Swimming Carnival 2018

On Friday, 2 February we kick started the 2018 school year with our annual Wynnum High Swimming Carnival. In no time at all swimmers were on the starting blocks eagerly waiting for the whistle to be blown.

Despite the dreary wet weather conditions, the carnival looked promising, as the sea of the house colours, yellow, red, blue and purple rolled through the Manly Pool gates ready to face their fierce rivals yet again. All students had a role to fill, whether it was cheering from the side line, swimming frantically to the end of the pool or participating in the novelty events to obtain points for their house.

The display of sportsmanship and team spirit was exceptional, and the thunderous house war cries were echoing from the Manly Pool. The lanes were filled with splashes whilst the teacher vs students relay team was a classic with the teachers finishing on top. Mr Bekiros’s novelty events were a massive hit for all, especially for Ms Kneen, who led the pack in her inflatable flamingo. All participants enjoyed themselves and walked away with a smile and sense of accomplishment.

It was extremely close between first and second place, with only 21 points separating the two houses. However, it was the almighty blues (Cunningham) who walked away with the title, “Champions of the Pool” which meant they finally broke their 11 year swimming draught; obtaining 509 points. Closely behind first place was Mitchell who finished on 488 followed by Kennedy finishing in third on 479 points and then Oxley who could not keep their victory from last year, finishing on 468 points.

It was a successful day for all so a pat on the back for all participants, competitors and teachers who battled the wet conditions to make it a great day! Below are our 2018 Age Champions and Runners Up Age Champions. You certainly did Wynnum PROUD!

On Thursday, 15 February Wynnum High will be taking our 2018 Swimming team to the Bayside District Championships held at Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Chandler. We know they will all do a great job on the day.

Coles Sports for Schools

We’re excited to announce that Wynnum State High School has joined the Coles Sports for Schools program for 2018! The program gives schools across Australia the opportunity to earn sports gear just by collecting vouchers from Coles. All vouchers will go towards providing Wynnum High with valuable sporting equipment for the 2019 school year. Families can bring their vouchers into the school office, where collection bins will be setup at Student Services.

If you wish for further information please feel free to contact our Sports Coordinator (Anthony Bannerman) on 3906 7338 or via email on amban0@eq.edu.au .

Thank you for supporting our school in this great cause.

Camera Club Clicks Off

Another exciting co-curricular activity has begun at school …. our very own Camera Club!

The club is open to all students and staff who would like to learn more about how to get the most out of their camera.

Principal Ms Cath Pfingst said “I welcome the initiative and I look forward to seeing these students develop their skills and making a contribution to the school newsletters and magazine.”

Presently students meet at 8.00 am on Thursday mornings (in B03) where a specific skill or camera feature is explained before heading out to meet that challenge. Topics to be covered include aperture, shutter speed, ISO and composition as well as different genres such as sports, portraits and scapes.

It’s certainly not too late to become involved and any photographic device is all that you need to get started.

Ashley Dickson
Teacher

2017 Senior Abbey Fraser – Inaugural winner of the Wynnum Bayside Camera Club’s student photography competition.

Creative Arts News

Instrumental Music

We are very excited to be welcoming 47 new families to the Instrumental Music program. Parents have been sent lesson timetables to help students remember when their lesson is each week. At the beginning of each term a new timetable will be emailed to parents.

In Week Three we had two performances for our senior ensembles. The first was the Big Band playing for the Year 7 Welcome Evening and the second was the Symphonic Band playing at the official Student Leaders Investiture Ceremony. Well done to all those students and our conductors Mrs Anderson and Mr Cosic for showing their continued dedication and commitment to the program.

Instrumental Music Starter Workshop

On Sunday 25 February instrumental students will be participating in a starter workshop in the Star Theatre. Students only need to come at the time when their ensemble is playing:

• 9:00 am – 10:30 am:          Concert Band
• 11:00 am – 12:30 pm:        Big Band
• 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm:            Symphonic Band

Students do not need to wear their school uniform. They just need to bring their instrument and whatever ensemble music they already have been given. Beginner students are not required to attend.

Instrumental Music Information Evening

All ensembles will be performing at the Instrumental Music Parents Support (IMPS) group information evening on Tuesday 20 March @ 6:30 pm in the Star Theatre . The night is for new and old families involved in the Instrumental Music Program. This evening is presented by the IMPS group.

IMPS group is a forum for parents/carers and students to have input into policies and directions of the Instrumental Music program and to assist with vitally needed logistical support. Please become a member and have your say. The success of WSHS’s Instrumental Music Program is closely aligned to the support gained for the IMPS Program.

The IMPS Committee organises a BBQ at the Manly markets which is the major fund raiser for the Instrumental Music Program. The BBQs are held on the second Sunday of every month and IM families are asked to volunteer to help man the BBQ. Funds from the BBQs will go to subsidise the Band Tour this year.

The IMPS Committee meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm in the Library.

Band Tour

2018 is a Band Tour year for students in the Instrumental Music Program at Wynnum SHS. The tour is planned for Tuesday 14 August – Saturday 18 August 2018 and we will be travelling to Tasmania.

This year we will be putting together a band specifically for the tour that will be made up of students from the three ensembles: Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Big Band.

The tour will be based in Hobart with opportunities to present public performances at Primary and Secondary schools in the area. There will also be opportunities to participate in workshop and performance programs with schools and community organisations. We are also planning on visiting MONA, Port Arthur, Richmond and a performance of the hit musical ‘We Will Rock You” at the Theatre Royal.

Band tour will cost approximately $1000 per student. This includes return airfares to Tasmania, accommodation, meals, bus transport and tickets to events.

The more funds the IMPS Committee can raise in the next six months will mean a reduced cost for all students involved in the Band Tour. So if you are able to assist at the monthly BBQ that would be a great help and contribute to the overall costs of the tour being reduced.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TERM 1 - PROGRAM OF EVENTS

DANCE

On Wednesday 14th March the Year 11 and 12 Dance students are attending a live dance performance to see Converge by Expressions Dance Company. The Dance students will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the contemporary dance genre and observe world-class professional dancers.

Finance News

The 2018 Student Resource Scheme fee is now due for payment. This can be paid in full, Term payments or payments via an individual payment plan as approved by the Business Manager. Full payment for all year levels is $275, Term 1 payment is $95.00., Term 2 payment is $95.00 and Term 3 payment is $85.00. Please refer to our payment options below. BPOINT is our preferred method of payment. 2018 Student Resource Scheme Participation forms are also overdue.

If your student’s account has outstanding fees from 2017 or previous years, please be aware that this will result in your student’s non-participation in optional school activities i.e. excursions, optional sporting and cultural activities, school camps, Senior Jersey and the Year 12 Formal. Students may also be excluded from the Scheme for 2018 if fees are outstanding from previous years and as such, parents/caregivers would be responsible for the provision of all textbooks and reference materials for your student/s.

If your student is participating in the laptop program the fee is now also due for payment. If you are wanting your student to participate in the laptop program they must be part of the SRS scheme.

Please see below term payment breakdown and due dates:

When making payments via BPOINT for SRS and Laptop invoices, please note that both the SRS and laptop invoice numbers will need to be entered individually.

We are aware that sometimes payments can be difficult for some families, and as such we offer individual Payment Plans. We also offer regular fortnightly deductions from your Centrelink payment via our arrangement with Centrepay.

BPOINT is now available for parents to make card payments from the comfort of their home or from their smartphones and is our preferred method of payment. All the information required to make a BPOINT payment is available on our invoices. Parents can visit the link below and enter the details and make payments online. When making these payments via the BPoint web site you need to ensure that you enter the Customer Reference Number, Invoice Number and Amount to pay. It is imperative with BPOINT that the invoice number is entered and not any other number, i.e. Debtor ID, Student EQ ID etc.

BPOINT IVR (Interactive Voice Response) has now been introduced for credit card payments by telephone. Please call 1300 631 073 and follow the prompts to make payment. If you have any queries, please contact the finance department.

Payments can be still be made to the school via cash, cheque or EFTPOS at the school office.

Library Competition

To celebrate the upcoming Commonwealth Games, WSHS Library will be running a weekly competition until the start of the games (4-15 April). We want everyone to feel part of something special, celebrate with each other, have fun reading and learning, and show their support for GC2018. To enter all you need to do is

1. choose a Commonwealth country to explore
2. do some research so you can answer the questions for the theme of the week and then
3. create a poster or video about your Commonwealth country
4. Submit your entry to Mrs Redsell by Friday 3 pm

We look forward to you learning something new and sharing these PROUDly in the Library. One prize will be awarded for the winning junior entry and the senior entry each week. The weekly themes are listed below. The questions for each week will be posted each Monday.

Maths Department News

Scientific Calculators

The tuckshop sells the latest brand Abacus Calculators for $25. These can be used in Mathematics and other subjects and in some pieces of assessment.

Engineering Link Projects

This program allow students to work with engineers and scientists on a range of day-long, hands-on projects that use engineering principles to demonstrate how the maths and science they are learning NOW applies in the real world. They also get a real understanding of what a career in engineering could be like for them.

• Rockhampton @ CQU – June 26-27
• Brisbane @ QUT – July 6-7
• Townsville @ JCU – July 17-18
• Cairns @ JCU – July 20-21

Please see Mr Wilson for more information on this program.

Mathletics

All students in Years 7-9 Mathematics will be receiving a Mathletics login and password. Mathletics is designed to assist in solving a wide range of mathematics problems and can be used in class and at home.

Mathematics Tutorials

To maximise student participation in mathematics tutorials, we have fine-tuned when we offer tutorials. Students are also welcome to attend hHomework cClub in the lLibrary on Tuesdays & Thursday at 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm.

Please see Mr Wilson in the Maths staffroom (G08) if you have any questions.

STEM Lunchtime Activities

This year there will be a number of lunchtime activities offered to students. Three Environmental Groups, three science groups and three technology groups.

From the School Chaplain

Welcome to 2018 at Wynnum High. My name is Greg Deighton and I am the chaplain at this great school. I thought I would start the year with a note to parents and carers to remind you that I am here and I am happy to chat whenever you need. The start of school can be tough for students as they are trying to settle in. Forming friendships takes time and so I encourage you to just keep supporting your child. Often we at the school are not aware if students are struggling, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like me to check on them throughout the day or have a chat.

I am available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and every second Friday on 3906 7315 or anytime via email gdeig1@eq.edu.au

Greg Deighton

Special Education Program (SEP) Update

This year, Wynnum High’s Special Education Program (SEP) will have four full-time teaching staff members to case manage 42 students with a Verified disability. These teachers will support students to access the curriculum, work with families and provide professional knowledge for classroom teachers. Five teacher aides will work in the SEP classroom and in mainstream classrooms with students, under teacher direction.

The SEP greatly values the connection between school and home. And for this reason, on 8 February, the SEP held a Meet and Greet. Over fresh muffins and a hot drink, parents were able to meet with their child’s Case Manager to discuss each student’s needs, student achievement and the student’s future. It was a lovely start to everyone’s day. SEP staff look forward to working closely with families as students continue on their road to success.

From the School Nurse

Welcome Back 2018

My name is Gabrielle Nolan, your School Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN) at Wynnum State High School.

I am employed by Children’s Health Qld, and I am based in the school two days a week so that staff, parents and students can access me easily, and confidentially, where needed.

The Youth Health Nurse works with students, school staff and parents to: address concerns or problems about health and wellbeing, help our school to build a supportive and healthy environment, and provide liaison and referral to other support services outside the school as needed.

In my consultation role I am able to support young people with making healthy choices to improve their physical and emotional health. I am able to see young people in private to talk about, for example: health issues, nutrition, relationships, smoking, puberty and sexual health, pregnancy risk, alcohol or drug use, feeling unhappy or stressed and to assist young people and their families to connect with specialist services.

When a young person engages with the service, I am required to keep this information confidential (not talking to others) unless the young person poses a risk to themselves or others, or if the young person agrees I can do otherwise. Family support is essential for young people, and my advice often includes encouraging and supporting the young person to discuss the issue with a trusted family member for additional support.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information on my role, to talk over an issue, or if you wish to book an appointment. I am available at Wynnum State High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If the young person you care for has concerns please encourage them to contact me, if you feel I may be of assistance.

Please also refer to the website listed below regarding anxiety in young people.

Gabrielle Nolan
Youth Health Nurse